Mount Hope residents question two projects

Developer proposes commercial, residential ventures

The developer for Sonoma Homes Inc. was in the room, but didn’t speak at a public meeting.

Instead, Glenn Wellings of Wellings Planning Consultants Inc. fielded questions and took comments on two future development proposals for Mount Hope at the Aug. 30 gathering.

Wellings said that the recent removal of around 40 trees on private and public land along Homestead Drive and Upper James Street — done without a permit having been issued to Sonoma Homes Inc. — was “not something we will be talking about tonight,” as the matter remains under investigation.

Residents frequently returned to the issue, though, and at one point in the evening, Coun. Brenda Johnson confirmed that the city’s bylaw department was investigating the matter, and also, “the police are involved now.”

Local residents were more than willing to voice their concerns about the proposals, a commercial development north of Airport Road between Homestead Drive and Upper James Street, and a residential one involving 198 townhouses south of Airport.

Chris Gaymer, who lives on Homestead, said the street is already experiencing severe traffic congestion..

“Unless you’re going to buy my property, I’m opposed to the whole damn thing,” he said. “We all moved out here for the peace and quiet.”